Chillaxin' chimps: 17 research apes enjoy their golden years

Meet Crystal, a 25-year-old chimp who remains playful despite having been infected with HIV years ago as part of biomedical research. She's one of countless chimps who have been used to study diseases ranging from polio to malaria to high blood pressure. But as scientists find new research methods, the role of chimps is declining - and the apes are aging.

Where do the chimps go to retire? The lucky ones (including Crystal) end up at Chimp Haven, a chimpanzee sanctuary in Keithville, Louisiana. There, 132 chimpanzees - many with chronic health issues - live in an environment that simulates life in the wild but also provides the apes with veterinary care.

There's no shuffleboard, but the senior chimps keep active. Keep clicking to meet 16 more residents at the sanctuary, as described by the caregivers at Chimp Haven...

Credit: Chimp Haven

Brett, 35, "has never met another chimpanzee he doesn't consider a friend." Think he's only good for medical research? The talented chimp is well-known for his paintings - one of his pieces is in the permanent collection at the NOVA Art Museum in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Credit: Chimp Haven

Keith, 47, is one of the older chimpanzees in his social group - but you'd never know it, based on the fights he picks with younger males. The squabbles often end with him crying or throwing a tantrum. Keith has lots of freckles and goes ape for frozen pomegranates.

Credit: Chimp Haven

When he first arrived at Chimp Haven, Thundarr was super fat and didn't want to move - he spent most of his time just lounging in the playground. He has now lost over 40 pounds, thanks to efforts from vets, and is a lot more active. He's 29.

Credit: Chimp Haven

Joice, 48, is one of the eldest and most respected females in her group - which means she often ends up with a good deal of food. Joice prefers the company of female chimps and is often found resting in the sun, eating, and enjoying her retirement.

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Paul (back), 45, loves the ladies and can sometimes become very jealous of the other males in his group. He only has one leg, but you wouldn't know it when you see him chasing after one of the girls or chasing one of the other boys away. Libby (front), 47, has always been a very curious chimpanzee, wanting to check out every corner of her enclosure. She loves to receive presents or any type of surprise. Libby puts up with the attentions of the males in her group, but don

Credit: Chimp Haven

This lady chimp loves to eat. When the chimps in her social group receive treats, Sara hoards as many as she can. She tends to be protective of others and once fashioned a spear from a branch to help protect the group. She's 26.

Credit: Chimp Haven

Queenie, 30, acts as royal as her name suggests. When waiting for her turn for treats, she is polite, and extends her hand in the air, as if to say, "May I be next?" She's also excellent at catching food that's thrown to her. She's also very popular among the gents.

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Grandma, 58, is Chimp Haven's oldest resident. She always carries a plush animal toy, a reminder of her days as a nursery caregiver to the baby chimps.

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Pam, 42, was used in HIV studies. She often appears to be mouthing the word, "apples," caregivers say, when she wants a treat. She likes to play dress-up and enjoys the attention of humans.

Credit: Chimp Haven

This 27-year-old is missing a leg, but doesn't let that stop her from moving around. Connie always carries a life-size plastic baby doll and pretends to nurse it. If another chimpanzee takes away her "baby," she gets very upset - but, luckily, this doesn't happen, and Connie has many chimp friends.

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Sheba (left), 30, has lived in zoos, homes, laboratories and sanctuaries. She is related to a famous chimpanzee named Nim, who was recently featured in a book, "Nim Chimpsky: The Chimp Who Would Be Human," and a movie, "Project Nim." Sheba herself has been featured in TV shows for her intelligence. Sarah Anne (right), 52, is also very smart and famous - she was taught to use lexigrams (symbols on keyboards) by Dr. David Premack in the 1960s, and is mentioned in many books. She is the matriarch of her group, and waits for all others before moving from one area to another.

Credit: Chimp Haven

Aixa, 31, likes to spend time alone playing with her favorite toys

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Gay recently passed away at age 44. She was a very intelligent chimpanzee who enjoyed looking at electronics. When a caregiver accidentally dropped a two-way radio into Gay's enclosure, Gay kept it and used it for a few days before trading pieces of it for bananas. She might have traded the whole radio at once, but it wouldn't fit through the mesh holes. Breaking it into pieces took care of the space problem and dragged out the period in which she received treats.

Violet loves to carry a large SpongeBob SquarePants pillow. The 26-year-old often places it on her back, as though it's a baby chimp.

Credit: Chimp Haven

Hamlet was taken from his mother at a very young age. Because he never received the nurturing he needed to learn chimpanzee life skills, he arrived at Chimp Haven socially inept. Over time, he has been integrated into a large social group. He tends to be the rowdiest member of the group, constantly making high-pitched screams and banging objects to make noise. He's 31.

Credit: Chimp Haven

Jeff was timid when he arrived at Chimp Haven. Today, he is the second-ranked male in his social group and is known to prefer the company of female chimpanzees. Jeff will rally the other males in his group when it is time to come inside. The 26-year-old is often seen carrying plastic toys.